Well, she wasn't really a "girl." More of a middle-aged mother of two, albeit a very fit one. So no, my fifteen year old self did not ask her out. Sorry to dissapoint. If it makes up for anything though, she was the subject of many fantasies of "after-hours education."

In case you happen to be holding something in one hand, you can completely defend yourself with just one hand. If an assailant throws a punch inercept his wrist with your one hand and apply a wrist flex. This will either result in a broken wrist or him or a vicious throw.

The worst technique I was ever taught - I read in a forum on awesome techniques. In fact most of the "how to kick ass" type postings are in contention for the title of "worst technique".

The worst technique I ever actually tried was a Tae-Kwon-Do roundhouse kick against a judoka. If you don't know why that was horrible...**** ya. I'm not telling the story. But it hurt my shoulder and elbow when I landed.

Another Manabi-Masho memory: Pistol disarms with a strike to the inside of the wrist. Also applied the technique to knives. Oh, and we were shown how to do a proper low crawl (for non-military types--how to keep your body as low to the ground to maximize safety and minimize silhouette). Not a bad skill to know...if you're anticipating indirect fire and shootouts.

At that time, I was taking TKD, and asked what possible application there was to having the back of your hand firmly held against the underside of the other arm. If I recall correctly, I was told it was to block strikes against the armpit or ribs. No explanation was given as to why the hand had to be pressed upwards so tightly, if the application was to move it downwards.

Oh, and when I asked why we learned forms, I was told: "to get your next belt."